1.08.2012

So, would you totally dislike me if I told you that 2011 has been FILLED with tons of secret keeping over here at our house? Literally I am THE WORST secret-keeper, when I'm excited about something...and I hate to say it, but I have a few 'secrets' that I've HAD to keep, and I feel like I'm about to burst!

I guess I should clarify and say that some of these so-called "secrets" really aren't secrets at all. Mostly just things that I didn't want to talk much about until they REALLY happened. (in fear of jinxing them)Does anyone else do this?

There have been a few times in my life that I've gabbed about something that COULD happen and get really excited... just to find out that it's not going to really work out that way in the end. (makes you feel quite silly, especially if you've told almost everyone you know) So... I've learned my lesson, and even though it's EXTREMELY hard for me, I've tried to foster the talent of just being patient and waiting for the "right" time to reveal things. (which usually means when they're ACTUALLY in motion, or have already happened)

Have I lost you yet?

No? Good...

So on with my story.

A few months back I was contacted by the cute editor at Cottages and Bungalows magazine. She asked if I'd be interested in submitting my pantry for a feature in their January organizing issue.

Um... someone pinch me!...

When I got the email I ran straight upstairs to where Cason was and almost burst into tears out of pure excitement! (okay, I actually did). Being featured in a magazine has been on my "bucket-list" since we started getting a little bit more exposure for our projects. And for me, Cottages and Bungalows was one of my top 5 "Oh my gosh I'd totally freak out and be massively flattered if they ever featured anything I've done" magazines. It's such a great publication, and really speaks to my style as a DIY'er and self-proclaimed 'designer'. (I use that term for myself loosely)

As January rolled around I waited anxiously for my copy to come in the mail, and nothing! So I searched high and low for one in our local stores, but had no luck :(

Finally a fabulous reader and fellow twitter-er-er (?) did me the ultimate favor and mailed me a copy herself.

Only a few days later C&B sent me a couple of copies to have... yes, I was THAT impatient

:)

I really wasn't sure what to expect from the feature, but even if a teeny photo at the bottom of a page was included of one of our projects, I would be ecstatic! So you can imagine my excitement when I opened to about page 68 and gasped over this ridiculously awesome 2-page spread!!!

I'm about to get dramatic... but, you know those moments in life when you feel so happy that your stomach turns, your heart feels like it's going to burst and you do that weird subconscious 'cup-your-hands-over-your-mouth, squeal-like-a-baby-pig and dance-from-side-to-side-like-you-have-to-pee...jig' ???...

.

.

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Yeah...That happened.

I know, I know. It's probably old news to most of you... "bloggers and their projects being featured in magazines"... but for me, it was a first. A freakin' awesome, I couldn't be more surprised, thrilled and amazed...first! It really made me stop and think about just how far that our little hobby, blog and family have truly come in the past two years. From jobless and directionless, to being published in one of our favorite magazines.

Blogging has changed our lives. It's given us ambition, drive, income, passion and (for me)... purpose. It's been such an amazing journey for us and even through those 'face-plant-to-the-palm' moments, while learning through trial and error how to manage and cultivate our talents and blog ... we still feel like it's one of the best decisions/risks we've ever made.

Thank you for the endless amounts of support. We are beyond thrilled and anxious to share all of our latest adventures with you in this new year... sticking strictly to our original 'game-plan'of keeping our blog authentic, real, personal and as easily relateable to the everyday DIY'er and decorator, as possible.

122 comments:

Congratulations! That project absolutely deserves the coverage (heck, it inspired me to attempt stenciling quatrefoil- something I'll NEVER do again!) Congratulations on getting such a great article. I'm sure your project will inspire all sorts of pantry remodels and more.

YAY!!! So So happy for you guys! I can only imagine how amazing that must have felt! You totally deserve it! Enjoy this feeling as long as you can, and seriously, if you're ever feeling discouraged, I hope you remember this moment and how far you've come! You should be soooo proud of yourselves!!! :)

Oh my gosh!!! Congratulations!! That is so so exciting!! Girl, you are beyond deserving for this. I expect we'll be seeing even more of your work in magazines and all over the place now!! *happy pee your pants dance!!*

Congratulations!!! It is really awesome to read your perspective. Often when I read magazines and see fabulous rooms I think they are staged by the magazine. I never think that someone actually lives there.

Wow I am so excited for you Shelley!!I have been following your blog for about 6 months or so, and to see these amazing things happen for you is so great! You are an inspiration, and you deserve every single tidbit of excitement and honor you receive! You've inspired me to do more of my own DIY projects!! They can be scary, but I am having so much fun! Thank you for being a wonderful influence! Yay for magazine publishings!!!!

FABULOUS!!!! I know how excited you must be...sadly, I got that excited just about having My {Little} Craft Nook featured on Tatertots and Jello yesterday...baby steps, huh? Keep reaching for the stars!

Yippee - This so super exciting. I'm going to buy the magazine! I have your pantry "pinned" and may other absolutely manageable projects that you have completed and shared. I have given a makeover to my powder room and my formal living room now turned office, the dining room is next and then my daughters bedroom. Thank you for the inspiration :o)

Saw you last week when I picked up a copy at Lowe's. Congratulations!! It IS a big deal and you should be so proud to be recognized for your hard work and dedication to teaching others through your blog how to conquer our homes! Kudos to you guys!! Deb

Congrats to you on this major accomplishment!You have a right to be excited, I know I would be. You were my total inspiration to re-do my pantry..thank you. Keep up the great work you and Cason do and here's to a wonderful 2012

wow! I am so excited for you. I'm actually really surprised this is your first! My "dream" is the same. I can't wait ( I say can't wait because I WILL make it happen one day!!) until I get featured in a magazine! I just have to keep trying to get a really great space together . Congrats, again!!

First off I am not a regular commenter but am a regular reader so much that I have you on my phone! I love your blog...ideas, projects, colors, etc! I could go on and on. You have inspired me to do those projects that I always say, "man I should really make that". so thanks for that! this is getting pretty long...heeheeI just want to tell you Congratulations and thanks for sharing your lives with all of us. It is much deserved! Wow, that was a long way to say congratulations!

Congratulations! I've never commented before, but you are one of my favorite blogs, handsdown and I have to speak up! You are such an inspiration to me, especially as I am just starting out on my own blog (Day 4). You deserve every bit of recognition for your creativity and amazing talent as a blogger! You go girl! Soak up this moment..although I'm sure this will not be the first time you are featured in a magazine! :)

What an amazing adventure you have had! I am so happy for you! You definitely need to frame that and place it somewhere in the House of Smiths with PRIDE!! :) Congrats......Amycrazyclutterlady.blogspot.com

Congratulations Shelley! You are my inspiration when it comes to blogging and "self proclaimed designer"!!!

You are amazing. Inside and out! Very proud of you. Your blog really has come a long way since the beginning, I remember when you were just a blogspot... then a dot com and now a published designer! 2012 is going to rock your socks off!!!

My family and I are in the process of buying a little bungalow right now, so tonight I picked up this issue of C&B when I was grocery shopping. I literally just got finished reading through it and then I came to your blog! That's so great for you to be featured!!

Congratulations!!! I am going to have to go and get one! I have a stack of magazines that I keep because my "Blog Friends" have been featured in them! Wow, I would just DIE to have one of my projects featured!! I'm still at that stage were being featured on some one else's blog makes me do the 'cup-your-hands-over-your-mouth, squeal-like-a-baby-pig and dance-from-side-to-side-like-you-have-to-pee...jig'...Hehe. I'm SO excited for you!

Shelley-- I am so excited for you. You guys deserve this so much. Enjoy it! Your pantry first brought me to this blog over a year ago...I have no doubt that it (along with many of your other amazing posts) will bring bunches more people to enjoy the love you put into this! Congrats!!{HUGS},kristi

Good for you! I'm always excited to see bloggers featured in magazines, as it's almost like I'm seeing a friend's success - does that make sense? Being published in a magazine is on my bucket list too, so I'm sharing your excitement!! Congrats!!

I was so excited to see you in the Cottages & Bungalows mag! I was on the next page and it was my first feature also! What a great first spread for us both, congrats to you, it's so deserved! Your pantry was probably the most talked about organizing project in 2011 across all of blogland! You are such a superstar! :)

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